Hello Alice and all others,
thanks for charing your impressions of your tour through parts of
Europe.
Reading your report I found out that lace-things have changed. About
18 years ago for us in Germany Bruge was the lace pradise becuse in
each museum we could find lace. And also in the shops selling lace we
could find really old ones if we could afford the price. This was also
in Brussels, there I bought my first one and was very proud.
And from time to time when we traveled near Bruge or Brussel we went
there and looked again.
I heard that during the last years lace disappeared in those museums.
The last time DP and I were for only one day in Brussel we run very
quick to this very big museum. I on "my side" the laces and it was
just the wrong day but the big door was open so I went in. But I never
let the door out of my eyes for not founding myself behind the closed
door. Half an hour before their brake for lunch somebody came and was
astonished to find me there. So I had to go out. I run to the other
part of the museum were DP has gone to see the weapons. But in which
room could I find him???? So I looked everywhere and came to a party
of military men. They invited me in because they thought my father
were there. I explaned that I am German and searching my husband. Than
they offered me a glass of champagne and we trank together for the
European friendship.
Greetings
Ilske
Am 25.07.2008 um 05:00 schrieb Alice Howell:
Days 25-27 Amsterdam and Day 28 Home
Took a very early train from Groningen. Two quick transfers, and a
15 minute walk to my hotel. Hotel was on the Singel canal next to a
bridge -- delightful view from my windows. Very old building but
updated facilities. Lift big enough for ONE person, only, plus a
suitcase. It was an interesting city to visit while resting up from
the hectic week just past.
As soon as I was settled, I headed for the West Church. I could see
the towers from my window. Over 3 canals and down a couple blocks.
On the way I passed the Anne Frank House. The line was more than a
block long. The church was very plain inside, but restful. The
windows were clear glass so there was a lot of light. Organ music
was playing, but I discovered it was from a tape player, not live.
I was just too tired to have the patience to stand in the Anne Frank
House line, so I strolled towards city center. Found Dam (Central)
Square, and a crowd of people. Winding through the crowd, I
discovered a magician doing magic tricks inside a large rope
circle. On another part of the square were young men pretending to
be statues. Two were dressed as gladiators and painted-- one in
bright green and one bright blue. There were also a Darth Vador and
a gorilla.
Down a side street I could see McDonalds and Burger King signs. On
the square was a Hot Dog Wagon. USA fast food is invading
everywhere. I window shopped until I saw a bakery/lunch cafe and
got some food which I took back to my room. A nap followed. (I was
really exhausted from the busy tour week.) Later I took another walk.
The next day I went back to Anne Frank House and found the line only
20 feet long. By the time I came out again, the line was as long as
the day before. The travel book that said to go very early was
correct. The next errand was to find an internet cafe since the
computer in the hotel was down. After doing my computer chores, and
strolling through the streets back to Dam Square, I found that it
was Book Fair day on the square. There were 10-12 rows of tents
full of tables of books. I was able to find a couple in English to
read on my flight home. Back to the hotel for another nap, and then
another walk in the town.
The third day...my last day in Amsterdam... I went to the North
Church to see a Textile Fair that sets up there on Monday mornings.
Clothes, fabrics, trims, linens, plus some food, produce and
household items filled the square and a street. Found some
interesting trim for lace pillows and a gift for my DH. The weather
had suddenly turned to summer -- hot and dry. No raincoat today.
Central Station was the next stop where I caught a train to
Rotterdam to visit Theo Brejaart in his shop. After a nice visit, I
returned to Amsterdam and took a Canal Cruise. I thought it would
be a comfortable way to see as much of Amsterdam as possible in an
hour. This cruise went on some different canals than the shorter
cruise we took the previous week on the tour. It was a very
pleasant hour. A nice dinner in tiny cafe near the hotel completed
my last day in Amsterdam.
Day 28 - Home
I didn't sleep very well that night, and was up about 4am. I
noticed people and cars acting strangely in front of the building
next door. They would stop, look, and then go on. Sometimes a car
would drive around the block and come back. One bicyclist almost
fell off his bike.
I left the hotel about 6am. As I past the building next door, I
noticed that the windows had red lights in them. The Red Light
District was supposed to be several blocks from my hotel.
Evidently, it has expanded a bit.
My backpack was heavier than when I came, and so was my suitcase. I
could not resist some of the new books on the vendors' tables.
Dispite the extra load, I made my train in good time, checked in for
my flight, had some breakfast, and was the first person through the
inspection for boarding the flight. Amsterdam airport has a
separate small inspection station at each boarding gate. Once
through, you are in a contained room that leads to the boarding
ramp. If there is any problem with something on a flight, only one
planeload of people has to leave the area and come back through the
inspection -- not a whole airportful. Very efficient.
It's a 10-1/2 hour flight from Amsterdam to Portland. We were late
leaving Amsterdam, and a bit late arriving in Portland. We landed
at a new terminal building across the airport from the regular one.
All the customs procedures have to be passed before one can get out
of the building, then ride a bus to the main terminal. It was a
different procedure than what I went through 10 years ago coming
home from Arachne 98. I think I'll just do in-country flights in
the future. It's much easier.
Both husband and cats are happy to have me home. Jet lag is easing
up and I'm getting back into the normal activities of summer. And I
have come to the end of this long tale of my trip to the other side
of the world.
28 days. 17 lace exhibts. 10 churches, 2 long embroideries. Many
miles of walking through cobblestone streets, over 600 photos to
process, and tons of memories to think about all winter.
Alice in Oregon - where I'm going to have to shop for a very large
scrapbook.
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